SREDA invests in future Indigenous leaders

Shaun Soonias (left), executive director at SFNEDN; Alex Fallon, president and CEO of SREDA; and David Keast, president and CEO of Great Plains College, sign the scholarship agreement.

The Saskatoon Regional Economic
Development Authority (SREDA) has announced a new scholarship, theSREDA Indigenous Economic Development Scholarship (SIEDS). This
scholarship is offered through Great Plains College located in Warman,
Saskatchewan.

“We are happy to partner with Great
Plains College and the Saskatchewan First Nations Economic Development Network
on awarding scholarships to future indigenous leaders in economic development,”
said Alex Fallon, president and CEO of SREDA. “This investment is part of
SREDA’s response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada Calls to
Action, specifically the call for ensuring aboriginal peoples have equitable
access to jobs, training and education opportunities in the corporate sector.

“The SREDA Indigenous Economic
Development Scholarship is an example of SREDA’s commitment in supporting the
next generation of indigenous leaders whose hard work will strengthen and grow
our local economy,” said Jonathan Huntington, board chair of SREDA.

Students who qualify for this annual
scholarship can receive up to $5,000 toward their education in their first or
second year of study in the Master of Business Administration in Community Economic
Development program (delivered in partnership with Cape Breton University).
SREDA has invested a total of $10,000 to be spread across four academic years.
The Government of Saskatchewan has matched this investment to total $20,000 as
part of their Saskatchewan Innovation and Opportunity Scholarship
funding.

“Great Plains College, SREDA and the
Saskatchewan First Nations Economic Development Network are committed to
meaningful consultation with one other, with the foremost aim of building
respectful relationships with indigenous peoples and communities,” explained
David Keast, president and CEO of Great Plains College. “The establishment of
this scholarship and the support for indigenous students is only the beginning
of what I foresee to be many, many positive outcomes of this
relationship.”

“Our goal at the Saskatchewan First
Nations Economic Development Network is to assist in navigating a path where a
higher percentage of First Nations are actively participating in the provincial
economy,” said Shaun Soonias, executive director at SFNEDN. “We are pleased to
partner on this scholarship to assist the next indigenous economic development
leaders in Saskatchewan.”

For more information on the Master
of Business Administration in Community Economic Development program, and to
apply for the SIEDS, visit:greatplainscollege.ca/mba